Storage and dispensing apparatus



Jan. 11, 1938. 1.. J. WHITE 20,624

STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFIED GASES Original Filed Sept. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l I v a0 1' za 2 a I m if 4 I I 2 Jan. 11, 1938. y L. J. WHITE Re. 20,624

STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS ES ori inal Filed Sept. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reiseued Jan. 11, 1938 STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFIED GASES Loyd J. "White,- San Antonio, Tex.. assignmto Southern Steel Company, a corporation of Texas Original No. 2,042,439, dated May 26, 1936, Serial Hassursn No. 42,337, September 26, 1935. Application for reissue October 20, 1937, Serial No. 170,133

12 Claims.

I This invention relates to storage and dispensing apparatus for highly volatile liquefied gases and, among other objects, aims to provide an improved compact and relatively simple installation adapted to be assembled at the factory and shipped as a complete unit ready to be installed to provide an automatic system for household and other uses. Another object. is to provide a simple, safe and automatic underground system wherein all of the necessary filling, controlling and dispensing appliances are associated with a storage tank and arranged in a protecting casing to prevent flooding due to rains and exposure to extreme cold in winter.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in the specification, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 isa vertical longitudinal sectional view of an installation embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the installation there shown for-illustrative purposes is designed for use in dispensing liquefied petroleum gases, such as normal butane, isobutane, propane or a mixture of butane and propane gases and the apparatus is adapted to be buried in the ground. In this instance, the liquefied gas is stored in a horizontally arranged cylindrical tank ill of any suitable capacity. This tank is adapted to be partially filled with liquefied gas 35 under pressure through a stand pipe II and a branch l2 having an ordinary inlet valve I3. As the liquefied gas is being charged into the tank, vaporized gas in the tank is allowed to escape into the air or into the filling tank through a pipe l4 having an outlet valve ii, to make room for the new supply of liquefied gas. The lower end of pipe l4 determines the level to which the liquefied gas canbe raised. Some clearance or vapor space is required for safe operation.

The stand pipe ll conveniently carries a level gage It at its upper end connected to an ordinary float I'I within the tank, although, it is to be understood that any other convenient type of level indicating apparatus may be employed.

The vapor under pressure is delivered through a conduit I8, having a hand valve l9; thence, through an ordinary pressure reducing regulator 20 to an outlet pipe 2! and a service main 22. In this instance, water is conducted through the liquefied gas in the tank to insure that it is always heated to the vaporization temperature, notwithstanding the outside temperature or temperature of the surrounding earth.

Herein, the domestic water supply is connected by a pipe 23 to a cylindrical conduit 24 extending vertically into the tank to its bottom from the outside. This conduit is shown as being closed at both ends. The water enters near the top and is charged from the bottom through a drain pipe 25 in heatexchanging relation with the liquefied gas and conveniently passes through one end of the tank, as shown. Thus, circulation of the water supplies supplemental heat to vaporize the liquid as fast as it is used and maintains a substantially uniform pressure in the tank.

The circulating-water is also used in this instance to re-vaporize any condensed gas in the service conduit. For this purpose, the outlet pipe 21 extends into the cylindrical conduit 24 to a point near the bottom thereof, the lower end be- 7 ing closed and preferably supported by a cross bar or bracket 26.

The service pipe 22 extends through the wall of the conduit 24 near its upper end adjacent to the tank and is connected to the pipe 2| therein, thus providing a vertical trap to catch any condensed gas vapor. It will be understood that the pipe 22 is also buried underground below the frost line and drains toward the trap. This condensate is quickly revapcrized by the heat derived from the circulating water in the cylindrical conduit. This is a very important feature, especially in plants used in extremely cold climates because the gas vapor condenses at a temperature between about 48 F. and 32 F. or less, depending on the mixture employed. Hence, the water which is always above the freezing point will supply sufficient heat to re-vaporize the liquefied gas.

As is usual in systems of this type, an ordinary relief valve 21 is connected to the low pressure side of the pressure regulator 20- to protectthe appliances from any excessive pressure. This relief valve has an outlet conduit 28 and a vent pipe 29. Also, a vent pipe 30 is shown as being connected to the pressure regulator. All of these pipes are shown as extending above the ground level so that no water can submerge them and interfere with their functions.

To protect the mechanism outside the tank during shipment and after its installation in the ground, there is shown a sheet metalcasing II which can be of any suitable shape but is preferably haste-pyramidal, having four sides converging upwardly. The lower ends are shown as being out to conform to the contour of the tank and opposite side walls are preferably bolted to angle brackets 32 welded on the tank. The top of the casing or housing is closed by a suitable cover 33 hinged or otherwise removably secured thereto. It is shown as having a pipe handle 34 providinga vent for the interior of the casing. Incidentally, the pipes 28, 29, and 30 are shown as being secured near their upper ends to one wall of the housing. It will be observed that the upper end of the housing 3| protrudes slightly above the ground so that the apparatus within is readily accessible by removing the cover and surface water cannot run into the casing.

It is important that the pressure regulator be protected from freezing temperatures in order that it may function properly. In mild climates the casing alone is suflicient for this purpose. In cold climates the interior of the casing is preferably filled or lined with any suitable heat insulating material, such as asbestos or rock wool. In Fig. 1, the casing has a layer 35 of such lining which is preferably a few inches thick. It retards the escape of the earth's heat through the top of the casing. It will be understood that the earths heat is used to help vaporize the liquefied gas in the tank. In someinstances the casing will be filled with such insulation to a point above the level of the regulator 20 better to protect the apparatus in cold 1 weather.

bled and tested at the factory and the casing will serve to prevent damage to the parts during shipment. Otherwise, the pipes might be knocked or jarred and cause dangerous leaks. Moreover, the casing makes all of the apparatus easily accessible for service, inspection and repairs. Also, the complete units may be displayed in sales rooms and present an attractive appearance.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used coniointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and subcombinations.

What is claimed is:

1 In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing plant of the class described, a storage tank; dispensing means connected to the tank for delivering gas at a'low pressure therefrom; a service pipe leading from said dispensing means having a portion projecting into said tank; a water conduit around saidpipe within the tank providing a heat exchanger for revaporizing condensed gas therein; and water pipes connected to said conduit for circulating water in heat exchanging relation to liquefied gas in the tank.

2. A storage and dispensing system for liquefied petroleum gases under pressure comprising, in combination, a storage tank adapted to be buried in the ground; a valved filling conduit for the storage tank; a valved gas dispensing conduit connected to the tank; an automatic pressure regulator connected to the dispensing conduit; a protecting casing above the tank and providing a housing for said filling conduit, said valve and said pressure regulator; a safety vent pipe connected to said pressure regulator and projecting upwardly into said to a point below the top; and a vented removable cover for said casing adapted to project above the ground so that the parts in said casing are accessible for removal or repairs.

3. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing plant of the character described, a storage tank for holding the liquefied gas under pressure adapted to be buried in the ground; filling and dispensing devices, including a pressure regulator and valved conduits secured to the tank and projecting upwardly therefrom; a protecting casing for said devices arranged entirely above and secured to the tank and partially buried in the ground with the tank; a vent for said regulator extending to a point beneath the top of the casing; and a removable cover for said casing to permit access to said devices.

4. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, a storage tank for holding liquefied gas under pressure adapted to be installed underground in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth; filling and I dispensing devices, including a pressure regulator and valved conduits connected to and arranged above the tank; a protecting casing for said devices arranged entirely above and supported by the tank and accessible from above the ground; and a vent for the regulator discharging into the casing and, thence, to the atmosphere.

5. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, a storage tank for holding liquefied gas under pressure adapted to be installed underground in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth; filling and dispensing devices, including a pressure regulator and valved conduits connected to and arranged above the tank also below the ground level; a protecting casing about said devices acholding liquefied gas under pressure adapted to be installed underground in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth; filling and dispensing devices, including a pressure regulator and valved conduits connected to and arranged above the tank also below the ground level; a

protecting casing entirely above the tank about said devices and accessible from above the ground; and a safety relief valve for said regulator connected to discharge vented gas into the casing and, thence,- to the atmosphere.

7. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, a storage tank for holding liquefied gas under pressure adapted to be installed underground in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth; valved filling and vapor return conduits connected to the tank;

a gas dispensing conduit connected to and arranged above the tank; control devices including a pressureregulator in the conduit'and a safety relief valve also below the ground level; an underground service pipe leading from said regulator; and a protecting casing entirely above the tank about said control devices and said-filling and vapor return. conduits afl'ording access to them from the groundlevel and providing a vent to the atmosphere for said safety relief valve.

8. In a liquefiedgas storage and dispensing system of the class described, a storage tank for holding liquefied gas under pressure and installed underground in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth; a casing above the tank extending to the ground level; a gas dispensing conduit connected to the tank and having a manually operable cut-ofl valvein the casing; a pressure regulator and a safety relief valve connected to said conduit and also arranged in the casing; valved filling and vapor return conduits extending upwardly in the casing; and a cover for the casing to permit easy access to all of said devices and providing a vent for any gas discharged into the casing by said safety relief valve.

9. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, an underground pressure storage tank; a gas dispensing conduit connected to the tank and having a pressure regulator; heat exchanging means associated with the tank to vaporize the liquefied gas therein and maintain a. continuoussupply of gas under pressure; means to supply water to said heat exchansing means; and a gas service pipe having a portion extending into the tank and also heated by said heat exchanging means to revaporize condensate which collects in the service pipe.

10. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, an underground storage tank for holding liquefied gas under pressure arranged in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth; a dispensing pipe connected to the tank; a pressure regulator in the dispensing pipe; a service pipe leading downwardly from the low pressure side of the regulator and extending laterally underground from a point closely adjacent to the tank; a protecting casing for said regulator arranged entirely above the tank; and a safety relief valve connected to prevent tan excess pressure from being built up in the service pipe and having a vent leading to the atmosphere.

11.. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, a storage tank buried in the ground in heat exchanging relation with the surrounding earth to hold liquefied gas under pressure; filling and dispensing devices connected to the tankincluding a conduit having a pressure regulator and a gas service pipe connected to the low pressure side of said regulator and having its lowest point adjacent to the top ofthe tank; and a branch on the service pipe extending downwardly into the tank and having a closed lower end whereby any condensate formed in the service pipe will drain into the branch and be revaporized.

12. In a liquefied gas storage and dispensing system of the class described, an underground storage tank; a gas service pipe connected to deliver gas from the tank and having its lowest point buried in the ground; and a heat exchanger connected to and depending from the lowest portion of the service pipe into which condensed gas drains, whereby the condensate is revaporized and returned to the service pipe.

LOYD J. WHITE. 

